It looks like Instagram is preparing to retire its Direct messaging app. Social Media Specialist Matt Navarra that a notification appeared on Google Play about the imminent end of support. Reportedly, the application will be closed in June 2019 (although the exact date has not yet been announced), and user correspondence will be saved in the private messages section in the main client.
So far, the company has not explained the reasons for this decision. According to TechCrunch, the decision to close was made shortly after Facebook on the future unified messaging system. It should unite Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, providing the ability to transfer data between these clients.
Note that Instagram began testing the Direct app in December 2017. The program was available in Chile, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey and Uruguay on Android and iOS. The client supports text correspondence, as well as the transfer of photos and videos. How many users have installed the program is not reported. Note that when installing Direct from the main application, the private messages section disappeared.
Note that at the moment Direct has a web version, supports Giphy and has a number of other features. However, the application never gained popularity, remaining in the status of an eternal beta version. By the way, there is no official statement from Instagram yet. However, against the backdrop of the popularity of Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, even with all the shortcomings of the latter, it was simply difficult for Direct to break into the market.
Source: 3dnews.ru